The April 25 episode of The Vampire Diaries will serve as a backdoor pilot for the potential series, which will be written by TVD cocreator and executive producer Julie Plec. The Originals would center on the Original family of vampires as Klaus returns to the French Quarter of New Orleans, which happens to be a supernatural melting pot that he helped build centuries ago. There, he is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel. So how does Elijah factor in? He wants to help the self-destructive Klaus find redemption, so he sides with Marcel's enemies to keep his brother in line.

Though Gillies is currently starring in the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope, he would be able to do both shows should The Originals be picked up to series.

There's been no word yet on whether or not Claire Holt, who plays Klaus and Elijah's sister Rebekah, will be joining the project.